Notes: Darius Slay sets NFL-best mark vs. Panthers

Darius Slay wasn’t at his best against the Carolina Panthers. He gave up a few completions and probably would’ve given up a few more had Devin Funchess not dropped a handful of others. He did have one of the best plays of the day, running down rookie receiver D.J. Moore and preventing a touchdown.

However, early in the game, Darius Slay notched a pass breakup—the first of what would be two against Cam Newton—and with it, he surpassed both Robert Alford and Brent Grimes for the most pass breakups by an NFL player since the 2013 season—Slay’s rookie year.

Slay now has 83 pass breakups in exactly 83 games played (74 games started). That’s even more impressive when you consider Slay only had five passes defended in his rookie year.

Last season, Slay led the NFL in both passes defended (26) and interceptions (8). While he’s off to a much slower start this season (9 passes defended, t-9th; 2 INTs), his consistency throughout the past few years shows he’s still one of the best corners in the league.

• Check out the locker room celebration after the Lions’ fourth win of the season on Sunday:

• FiveThirtyEight thinks the Detroit Lions are stuck in purgatory, destined to go 7-9 or 9-7 for the rest of eternity (yes, even this season).

• Despite being t-ninth in the NFL with 29 sacks, the Lions defense is still generating pressure at an alarmingly-low rate:

• The Ringer called Kenny Golladay’s touchdown grab one of the best plays from Week 11 in the NFL. Danny Kelly breaks it down here.

• Marvin Jones Jr. was HYPED after the Lions win, despite sitting out the game:

• Darius Slay’s reaction when the Panthers lined up for a potential game-winning two-point conversion: “They ain’t getting this shit.”